May you find comfort, encouragement, guidance, hope, inspiration, love, and peace – https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/. May you also find answers to your question(s) through the Scriptures that address every situation you face, and help with your problems. Deb ♥

Dear Lord, open our hearts and our minds to the power of Your Word, which as we read, we may know, understand, and obey Your Word for us today. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Author unknown)

Today’s scripture reading:

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord is the one who goes before you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor forsake you. –Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)

Deuteronomy 31:1-8 – When Moses had finished saying these things to all the people of Israel, he said, “I am now 120 years old and am no longer able to lead you. The Lord has told me that I will not cross the Jordan River. But the Lord your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy the nations living there, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua is your new leader, and he will go with you, just as the Lord promised. The Lord will destroy the nations living in the land, just as he destroyed Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites. The Lord will hand over to you the people who live there, and you will deal with them as I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid of them! The Lord your God will go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you.”

Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched he said to him, “Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the Lord swore to give their ancestors. You are the one who will deliver it to them as their inheritance. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord is the one who goes before you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor forsake you.”

God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” –Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

Gael Stuart Phaneuf’s (Colorado) story is titled “FOX WISDOM;” here is a portion of Gael’s story:

“As I drove cautiously up my long driveway, I saw a thin red fox sitting in the brush and watching over her three rambunctious babies. . . .

“Then it occurred to me how in this moment the attentive mother fox mirrored God’s care for me. She quietly allowed her babies complete freedom in unknown territory while being constantly available to guide their way. Our reading for today records that just before transferring leadership to Joshua, Moses spoke about the law and urged the people to trust God fully. God has promised never to leave or forsake us. And yet, how often have I wrestled with something all by myself, ignoring God because I was too preoccupied to see my divine parent right there offering to help?

“For me, the glimpse of that ref fox reflected a very small measure of God’s infinite care. I realized that regardless of the challenges and changes that come into our lives, we can trust in God’s unfailing love and presence.”

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY – God’s caring presence gives me freedom.

Prayer: Dear God of the ages, give us grace to live every day confident that you are trustworthy and always present with us. Amen.